Saad Habib Malik Shows Pakistan’s New Crop of Golfers Mean Business

By Joy Chakravarty

Saad Habib Malik typifies Pakistan’s new generation of golfers as the country continues to move in the right direction.

The 20-year-old from Islamabad is the only player from Pakistan to have made the cut at the 17th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, but he insisted that good things are happening back home.

Hamza Amin’s tied 24th position in 2010 (Kasumigaseki course, Japan) remains the best ever finish by a Pakistan player in the Championship, but Malik says that record won’t stand for long.

“We now have four of us playing college golf in the US – three in D1 and one in D2. We are facing better competition, and we are getting to play on amazing facilities, and we have access to the latest technologies and knowledge in the sport,” said Malik, who has joined the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) as a freshman this fall.

“I think what we have been lacking is international exposure. The Pakistan Golf Federation is doing a better job now to provide players with these opportunities. But if they can put more players on the Tour in the international and amateur circuits, it would help a lot more.

“A good amateur career will help to you turn pro. We have Ahmed Baig as an example. He played this tournament as well. He is now doing very well as a pro on the Asian Tour. We need to initiate more events in Pakistan and invite international players so that we can make our events more competitive.

“We need a stage like the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship to play in and to see how our skills match up with others and to experience the various conditions in which golf is played around the world.”

Speaking ahead of the final round, Malik said breaking Amin’s record in the Championship is in the back of his mind, but he wants to focus on his golf and play a good round.

“This is my second AAC and I really love this place, and I obviously love it that I made the weekend. So, it’s already a special tournament for me. Not many Pakistanis (total three in the field) have made the cut, but it’s purely because of the conditions. The wind, the greens…everything is very different for us. We have faced a lot of challenges, and I feel really good after making the cut,” said Malik, who shot rounds of 74, 81 and 76 the first three days.

“I’m not forcing anything on myself. I am just trying to play my own game and let my swing do the work. I know I can shoot a really good score out here. I feel I am very familiar with the greens now, and I know where to miss the ball. So, if I can putt better and roll some birdies, I can score a good score, which is my main objective.”

Malik’s family hails from Swat, the country’s beautiful northern district, but he has lived all over the country because of his father’s government job. He now calls the Nick Faldo-designed Rumanza Golf & Country Club, Pakistan’s newest 18-hole course that opened in 2022, his home course.

“We thank a lot of people, but we never thank our parents enough. My father plays golf as well, and he got me into the game. My mother, Sara, is a housewife, but she has encouraged me a lot,” said Saad, who is ranked 291st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

“My father always wanted me to play at this level. I can’t even describe how much my parents have done to get me to this point. Starting the game itself is a big decision, and it’s the family that gives you that initial push. My dad did a great job creating a platform and providing me with all the facilities a golfer needs to reach this level. So, I'm very grateful to them.”